Freddie Mercury’s extensive and never seen before private collection has gone on display at the exhibition!
Sotheby’s London galleries are currently hosting a month-long takeover of the private collection of the legendary musician Freddie Mercury.
The collection, which has never been seen before, was acquired by the auction house from Freddie Mercury’s close friend Mary Austin, who had cared for his home and belongings for the past thirty years.
The exhibition will run until September 5, which would have been Mercury’s 77th birthday, and the items will be auctioned off on September 6, 2023.
The collection includes a wide range of personal belongings, such as iconic stage costumes, handwritten lyrics, and works of art that Mercury acquired over the years.
Among the most notable items on display are Mercury’s crown and accompanying cloak, which he wore during the finale rendition of “God Save The Queen” on his last tour with Queen.
Other items include handwritten lyrics to “We Are The Champions” and “Killer Queen,” as well as the lavish ceremonial military-style jacket created for Freddie Mercury’s 39th Birthday Party Drag Ball.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the many facets of Mercury’s life, both public and private.
The collection offers a unique insight into the mind of an incredible and intelligent collector, who found beauty and conversation in everything he encountered.
The exhibition will close on September 5, and the collection will then go on sale in six auctions in September, each one devoted to a different aspect of Mercury’s life.
Mary Austin, Freddie Mercury’s close friend, expressed her sadness at the decision to sell her friend’s belongings but felt that it was time to close this special chapter in her life.
She wanted to do it in a way that she felt Freddie would have loved, and there was nothing he loved more than an auction.
According to Austin, the sale of the collection is an opportunity for the world to understand more about, and celebrate, Mercury’s unique and beautiful spirit.
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